Highly Sensitive and Interference-Free Electrochemical Nitrite Detection in a 3D Printed Miniaturized Device

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Nitrite, ingested via food and water, poses health risks at elevated levels.
• Accurate and efficient on-site nitrite detection is essential for public health and environmental monitoring.
• Traditional nitrite detection methods can be complex, costly, and time-consuming.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simple, disposable, and cost-effective electrochemical sensor for nitrite detection.
• To utilize 3D printing technology for fabricating the sensor.
• To validate the sensor's performance in real-world samples.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a single-step, disposable electrochemical sensor using carbon-loaded polylactic acid (PLA) filament via 3D printing.
• Electrochemical characterization and performance evaluation of the sensor for nitrite detection.
• Analysis of nitrite levels in real soil and water samples.

Main Results:

• The 3D printed sensor demonstrated high sensitivity and selectivity for nitrite detection.
• A limit of detection (LOD) of [Formula: see text] was achieved.
• The sensor successfully monitored nitrite in real soil and water samples with good recovery rates.

Conclusions:

• 3D printing offers a versatile and industry-friendly approach for fabricating electrochemical sensors.
• The developed disposable sensor provides a practical solution for on-site nitrite monitoring.
• The sensor's capability for multiplexing with other soil parameters suggests potential for comprehensive environmental analysis.